Targeted remote GUI for metadata generator

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method and system for remotely managing metadata associated with a metadata generator in a broadcast system, are disclosed. The method includes providing a targeted user interface to a current user, and managing remotely the metadata using the targeted user interface.

[0001] The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/282,190 filed on Apr. 9, 2001, the entirecontents of which are herein fully incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a method and system forproviding a targeted graphical user interface (GUI) for a metadatagenerator or the like.

[0004] 2. Discussion of Related Art

[0005] A program and system information protocol (PSIP) generator systemaccording to a related art is generally installed near DTV encodersystems because it must feed a high volume (bit rate) of data directlyto the ncoder system. A DTV broadcast center usually maintains a centrallocation for all equipment so that it can be easily managed by a groupof station engineers and so that only the station engineers can makeadjustments to the equipment.

[0006] However, the PSIP information managed by the PSIP generatorsystem needs to be manipulated by a number of different individuals fora number of different purposes. Generally, these individuals should berestricted to access only certain data that are pertinent to their jobfunction. Further, these individuals would like to manipulate the dataas a normal part of their daily job activities implying that the dataneeds to be accessible at their normal working location instead of atthe central location for all the DTV equipment. Finally, the mechanismof manipulating the data should not be burdensome to the stationworkers.

[0007] General remote user interfaces are known in the computerindustry. The X-Windows system provides for a remote user interface fromone machine to another. PC ANYWHERE is a product sold for Windows thatprovides exactly these same functions. Further, a product from Harris(Lucent Technologies) provides a general remote GUI to manipulate PSIPdata whereby the PSIP generator itself can be controlled remotely. Butsuch a remote GUI has the same configuration and structure as a localGUI. That is, according to the related art, the same general GUI is usedfor remote controlling as well as local controlling of the PSIPgenerator. Further, such GUI is not targeted or user-specific, such thatthe same GUI is provided to all types of users, regardless of their jobfunctions, credentials, or need.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a PSIP generator that provides atargeted or customized GUI, either for remote or local control, that istask-specific and/or user-specific. Further, there is a need for a PSIPgenerator that provides a remote or local GUI that is visually differentfrom the existing, general GUI in order to denote its customized nature.

[0009] On the other hand, web or network distribution of products isknown in the general computer industry. Specific version distribution ofproducts based on specific credentials is also known in the generalcomputer industry. In addition, product licensing by counting instancesof, and allowing remote machines to obtain, operation keys is known inthe general computer industry.

[0010] However, no known PSIP generator interfaces are distributed viaweb or network distribution. As no custom GUI (relative to a basic,maximally functional GUI) is known for a PSIP generator, no specificversion distribution of PSIP generator GUIs based on specificcredentials is known. And thus no PSIP GUI licensing by countinginstances of, and allowing remote machines to obtain, operation keys isknown.

[0011] Accordingly, there is a need to provide a more targeted orcustomized GUI for controlling metadata such as PSIP data, which can beeasily distributed to appropriate users with increased efficiency andwithout compromising security.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention provides a targeted or customized GUI for ametadata generator, which overcomes the above-described and otherproblems and disadvantages associated with the related art.

[0013] The present invention, in part, provides at least one targetedGUI to a program and system information (PSIP) generator or any systemrequiring modification and/or management of certain data, eitherremotely or locally, which is task specific in contrast to a basic,maximally functional GUI.

[0014] The present invention, also in part, provides at least onecustomized GUI, either remotely or locally, that is visually differentfrom the basic, maximally functional GUI in order to denote itscustomized nature and/or to enhance its user-friendliness toward theuser to whom it is customized.

[0015] The present invention, also in part, provides specific versiondistribution of PSIP generator GUIs or other metadata generators basedon specific credentials.

[0016] The present invention, also in part, provides PSIP GUI licensingby counting instances of, and allowing remote machines to obtain,operation keys.

[0017] The present invention, also in part, provides a PSIP generatorinterface that can be distributed via the world wide web or a privatenetwork.

[0018] Among other things, the present invention provides:

[0019] a specific, customized solution to each PSIP user's data entryneeds, wherein a set of solutions is available within a given product,it being possible to customize such solutions for particular stationneeds;

[0020] a specific technology to control aspects of a PSIP generator andthe associated data without physical access to the actual generator;

[0021] a technology for selecting the specific control interface (GUI)by providing credentials to a central service (web site) at every useoccasion;

[0022] a technology for selecting the specific control interface (GUI)by providing credentials once allowing the installation of a permanentinterface at the client machine;

[0023] a technology for installing the specific control interface (GUI)by providing implied credentials, where the control interface can beinstalled only on users' machines; and

[0024] a technology for licensing specific control interfaces based onthe number of interfaces active.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawingswhich are given by way of illustration only, and thus do not limit thepresent invention.

[0026]FIG. 1 shows a flow chart illustrating processing steps of amethod of providing a targeted remote GUI to a metadata generatoraccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 2 shows a flow chart illustrating processing steps of amethod of providing a targeted remote GUI to a metadata generatoraccording to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a PSIP generator system according toan embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIGS. 4-10 are examples of different screen images usable in theembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030]FIG. 1 shows a flow chart for illustrating processing steps of amethod of providing a targeted remote GUI to a metadata generator orother system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.In this example, the processing steps are implementable in a PSIPgenerator system for a DTV environment; however, these steps can beimplemented in any system or device that requires management of datausing some remote user interface.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, in the present method, a user at a particularbroadcast station or other location connects to the Internet, intranet,extranet, or any other communications network, and accesses apredetermined website to obtain an appropriate GUI to control data inthe desired system in Step S1. This predetermined website is alsoreferred to herein as a control website. Inherent to Step S1 andsubsequent steps is the use of a computer or other computing device(e.g., PC, PDA, work station, two-way mobile phone, etc.) at the userside, the use of any existing mechanism for connecting the user'scomputing device to the communications network, and the use of a serveror the like that maintains the control website for communicating withthe user's computing device via the communications network.

[0032] Once the user accesses the control website, in Step S3, the userselects a desired user interface such as a particular GUI. One of themany ways to implement this step is as follows. The control website maydisplay on the user's display device a page displaying a list ofdifferent types and/or functions of user interfaces for controllingdifferent data. The user then selects the appropriate user interfacefrom the list based on the need, the desired operation, their jobfunction, etc. using a user input device such as a keyboard, mouse, etcassociated with the display device. The selected user interface can be auser interface providing only specific functions.

[0033] In Step S5, the user's identity is verified to ensure that theuser is entitled to access the selected user interface(s). This may beimplemented by configuring the control website to request an input of auser ID, password, passcode, and/or other credential data and comparingthe input credential data with prestored credential data to verify theuser's identity or to determine whether the user has proper access tothe selected user interface(s).

[0034] Once the user's access is granted, the user accesses in Step S7the selected user interface. That is, the control website displays thepage(s) of the selected user interface on the user's display device.Then in Step S9, the user uses the selected user interface to controland modify the metadata such as PSIP data associated with the PSIPgenerator system.

[0035] In the first embodiment, the order of certain steps in FIG. 1 maybe switched. For instance, Step S5 may be performed first prior to StepS3 if desired. In this case, the user's identity is verified firstbefore the user is able to make any selection of a desired userinterface.

[0036] In a second embodiment of the present invention, instead of theweb-based interface of the first embodiment, a specific GUI to the PSIPgenerator is permanently installed on a particular user machine. Itshould be noted that the implementation of the second embodiment doesnot require a web connection at all. FIG. 2 shows a flow chartillustrating processing steps of a method of providing a targeted GUIaccording to this second embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, in Step S20, at a control center, auser-specific user interface such as GUI is determined based on theuser's functions, desired operations, etc. That is, a GUI that isspecifically configured to meet the needs of a current user isdetermined and provided. This can be implemented by obtaining the user'scredential data and selecting the desired characteristics of a GUI froma list of possible functions, components, capabilities, etc. for GUIs.This selection process may be performed manually or automatically inresponse to the user's input of particular credentials such as jobtitle, job code, user ID, etc.

[0038] Then in Step S22, the user-specific or customized GUI isinstalled permanently on one or more of the user's machines such as aPC, PDA, etc. Then in Step S24, the user's identity is verified eachtime the user desires to access this GUI through the user's machine.Step S24 may be an optional step. Once the user accesses theuser-specific GUI, the user uses the GUI in Step S26 as needed tocontrol or modify PSIP information or other data.

[0039] In still another embodiment, a hybrid of the methods according tothe first and second embodiments discussed above is possible in whichthe user provides credential data through the control website as in thefirst embodiment to obtain the user-specific GUI software, which wouldthen be installed on the user's machine. Once installed, the user wouldoperate the GUI as needed to manage the metadata.

[0040] In each of these embodiments, optionally a System Administrator(SA) can use a utility available from the main PSIP or metadatagenerator software to maintain remote user access characteristicsincluding user ID, password, whether the user can edit events remotely,and the type of User Interface (UI) that will be sent to the user whenhe logs in remotely. A computer screen displaying such information canbe provided to the SA.

[0041]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a program and system informationprotocol (PSIP) data generator system 600 providing a targeted remoteGUI according to an embodiment of the present invention. The methodsaccording to the first, second and third embodiments discussed above canbe implemented in the PSIP data generator system 600 of FIG. 3.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the system 600 includes: a PSIP generator 602according to the invention; sources of data upon which the PSIPgenerator operates, such as a source 608 of listing service data, asource 610 of traffic system data and a source 612 of other data; amultiplexer 614 to incorporate the PSIP data from the PSIP generator 602into an A/65-compliant DTV signal or other appropriate signal; and asource 616 of audio data, video data, etc.

[0043] The PSIP generator 602 includes an interface unit 604 whichparticularly implements at least one of the methods discussed aboveaccording to the first (FIG. 1), second (FIG. 2) and third embodiments.Any additional hardware and/or software needed to implement the specificmethod of the present invention is also included in the system 600 aspart of the present invention. It should also be noted that theinterface unit 604 within the PSIP generator 602 may not necessarilycorrespond to a discrete hardware unit. Rather, the interface unit 604can represent a functional unit corresponding to one or more programsegments of the software that can embody the invention.

[0044] The PSIP generator 602 according to the present invention can beimplemented by adapting a known PSIP generator according to thediscussion herein. An example of a known PSIP generator is the PSIPBUILDER PRO brand of PSIP generator manufactured and sold by TRIVENIDIGITAL INC., the assignee of the invention. The PSIP BUILDER PRO itselfis based upon a programmed PC having a Pentium type of processor usingthe Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 operating system, but it can be based onother type of operating system if needed.

[0045]FIG. 3 depicts the context of a digital television broadcast suchas a terrestrial broadcast, and more particularly one that is compliantwith the ATSC, where each event is a program, and the schedule data isPSIP data. However, the present invention is readily applicable to anytelevision format, e.g., analog terrestrial, analog cable, digitalcable, satellite, etc., for which an electronic schedule is maintainedand corresponding data is sent to a receiver for the purpose ofpresenting an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer.

[0046] FIGS. 4-10 provide different examples of screen images usable inthe present invention, particularly, in a PSIP generator system such asthe system 600 in FIG. 3. Obviously, other variations are possible andcontemplated as part of the present invention.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, a list of users and their properties such asthe user ID, password, UI type accessed, etc., can be maintained by a SAor the like from a central location or the control website location. Forthis application, examples of UI types that can be accessed by users mayinclude, but are not limited to: Newsroom UI, Lite UI (for editingevents only), and a UI with read-only capabilities. In this example,FIG. 4 shows that two remote users have access to the read-only UI(Regular UI) and the Lite UI. Using this page, users can be added orremoved and the authorized properties of the users as well as authorizedUI types accessible by the users can be modified to manage suchinformation.

[0048]FIG. 5 shows an example of a web page of the control website whichmay be displayed to the remote user when the remote user accesses thecontrol website (e.g., in Step S1 of FIG. 1). In this example, once thecontrol website is accessed, the user clicks on the “Access PSIPBuilderPro” button on the web page to trigger a login dialog window to pop up.The user then enters, e.g., a user ID and password, into the loginwindow to proceed. Such login dialog windows are known. Based on theuser ID and password that have been entered, the host PSIP generatorsoftware sends the UI assigned to the user according to the user'sparticular business needs or other properties, as discussed above in themethods of the present invention.

[0049]FIG. 6 is an example of a screen image of a Lite UI which can bedisplayed, e.g., when the current user has the user ID of “rgong” inFIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 6, this GUI screen particularly shows a programeditor which allows the user to easily view and modify certainprogram-related information such as ratings, programs, channels, etc. ofthe PSIP data without ever having to deal with the complexity of theATSC A/65 standard or other standard being used. By simply clicking on amenu item or toolbar button, the modification of data is easilyimplemented.

[0050]FIG. 7 is an example of a screen image of a GUI which displays aservice editor for editing different types of services providedaccording to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the user caneasily view and modify certain service-related information bymanipulating toolbar buttons or icons.

[0051]FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are examples of different screen imagesdisplayable by the user-specific GUI of the present invention.Particularly, FIG. 8 depicts an example of an “Add Event” UI for addinga particular TV event/program. FIG. 9 depicts an example of an “EventOverrun” UI for modifying event/program properties, especially when anevent runs over the predetermined duration. FIG. 10 shows an example ofa “News Editor” (news room) UI. In FIG. 10, among other things, thedialog window is branded with a logo of the station using it; thestandard news programs are displayed as buttons; selection of a buttonallows the description of the selected program to be edited; only asingle day is displayed; the top bar allows the desired day to beselected; a news flash button allows a new event to be added that is anews flash. Such a news room GUI can have multiple news flash buttons,however, only one has been shown for simplicity. As a way to controlPSIP data content modification, news room personnel could be restrictedto modifying PSIP data only by way of the news flash button.

[0052] The screen images displayed in FIGS. 4-10 are mere examples only;obviously, other examples and variations are possible and such areintended to be part of the present invention.

[0053] In another embodiment, the client/user software may need toobtain licensing information from the centrally located system to allowthe user client interface to run, but this only provides control of thenumber of users—not the users' ability to do work once licensed. Anexample of this instance would be a News Room client. Particularly, thecustomer could buy two licenses for the news room but could load the GUIonto every machine in the news room. Only two users could be active atany one time. The News Room client would only allow the News Roompersonnel to change entries associated with the News in the PSIPgenerator database (and so would be customized relative to the basic,maximally functional PSIP GUI). All other entries would not even bedisplayed (in contrast to the basic, maximally functional GUI).

[0054] Certain aspects of the present invention have been described interms of a PSIP generator and the ATSC system of which PSIP is acomponent, but are equally applicable to other digital televisionsystems such as DVB (and its metadata known as System Information (Si)),ARIB (and its analogous component to PSIP data), etc. The presentinvention can be implemented using any known hardware and/or software.Any existing computer programming language such as Java can be used toimplement the processing steps of the present invention.

[0055] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that thesame may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regardedas a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A method of remotely managing metadata associatedwith a metadata generator in a broadcast system, the method comprising:providing a targeted user interface to a current user; and managingremotely the metadata using the targeted user interface.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the step of providing the targeted user interfaceincludes: providing a list of available user interfaces for the metadatagenerator through a communications network; and providing to the currentuser, as the targeted user interface, at least one of the userinterfaces selected based on the user's input, so that the current usercan access the targeted user interface through the communicationsnetwork.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the communications network iseither the Internet or a private network.
 4. The method of claim 2,wherein the user selects said at least one of the user interfaces usinga web browser.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of providingthe targeted user interface further includes: verifying an identity ofthe user.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing thetargeted user interface includes: determining characteristics of a userinterface specific for the current user; generating the targeted userinterface based on the determined characteristics; and installing thetargeted user interface on the user's device.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the user interface is a graphical user interface (GUI).
 8. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: maintaining a count of userinterfaces currently being accessed by users to control access to theinterfaces at a given time
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein themetadata generator is a PSIP generator usable in a digital TVenvironment.
 10. A computer program product embodied on computerreadable media, for remotely managing metadata associated with ametadata generator in a broadcast system, the computer program productcomprising computer executable instructions for: providing a targeteduser interface to a current user; and managing remotely the metadatausing the targeted user interface.
 11. The computer program product ofclaim 10, wherein the computer executable instructions for providing thetargeted user interface include computer executable instructions for:providing a list of available user interfaces for the metadata generatorthrough a communications network; and providing to the current user, asthe targeted user interface, at least one of the user interfacesselected based on the user's input, so that the current user can accessthe targeted user interface through the communications network.
 12. Thecomputer program product of claim 11, wherein the communications networkis either the Internet or a private network.
 13. The computer programproduct of claim 11, wherein the user selects said at least one of theuser interfaces using a web browser.
 14. The computer program product ofclaim 11, wherein the computer executable instructions for providing thetargeted user interface further include computer executable instructionsfor: verifying an identity of the user.
 15. The computer program productof claim 10, wherein the computer executable instructions for providingthe targeted user interface include computer executable instructionsfor: determining characteristics of a user interface specific for thecurrent user; generating the targeted user interface based on thedetermined characteristics; and installing the targeted user interfaceon the user's device.
 16. The computer program product of claim 10,wherein the user interface is a graphical user interface (GUI).
 17. Thecomputer program product of claim 10, further comprising computerexecutable instructions for: maintaining a count of user interfacescurrently being accessed by users to control access to the interfaces ata given time
 18. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein themetadata generator is a PSIP generator usable in a digital TVenvironment.
 19. A system for remotely managing metadata associated witha metadata generator in a broadcast environment, the system comprising:means for providing a targeted user interface to a current user; andmeans for managing remotely the metadata using the targeted userinterface.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the means for providingthe targeted user interface includes: means for providing a list ofavailable user interfaces for the metadata generator through acommunications network; and means for providing, to the current user asthe targeted user interface, at least one of the user interfacesselected based on the user's input, so that the current user can accessthe targeted user interface through the communications network.
 21. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein the communications network is either theInternet or a private network.
 22. The system of claim 20, wherein theuser selects said at least one of the user interfaces using a webbrowser.
 23. The system of claim 20, wherein the means for providing thetargeted user interface further includes: means for verifying anidentity of the user.
 24. The system of claim 19, wherein the means forproviding the targeted user interface includes: means for determiningcharacteristics of a user interface specific for the current user; meansfor generating the targeted user interface based on the determinedcharacteristics; and means for installing the targeted user interface onthe user's device.
 25. The system of claim 19, wherein the userinterface is a graphical user interface (GUI).
 26. The system of claim19, further comprising: means for maintaining a count of user interfacescurrently being accessed by users to control access to the interfaces ata given time
 27. The system of claim 19, wherein the metadata generatoris a PSIP generator usable in a digital TV environment.